Characteristics, management and outcomes of critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU in hospitals in Bangladesh: a retrospective study

Abstract

Objectives. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 cases and investigate risk factors including comorbidities and age in relation with the clinical aftermath of COVID-19 in ICU admitted cases in Bangladesh.

Methods. In this retrospective study, epidemiological and clini- cal characteristics, complications, laboratory results, and clini- cal management of the patients were studied from data obtained

from 168 individuals diagnosed with an advanced prognosis of COVID-19 admitted in two hospitals in Bangladesh. Results. Individuals in the study sample contracted COVID-19 through community transmission. 56.5% (n = 95) cases died in intensive care units (ICU) during the study period. The median

age was 56 years and 79.2% (n = 134) were male. Typical clini- cal manifestation included Acute respiratory distress syndrome

(ARDS) related complications (79.2%), fever (54.2%) and cough (25.6%) while diabetes mellitus (52.4%), hypertension (41.1%)

and heart diseases (16.7%) were the conventional comorbidi- ties. Clinical outcomes were detrimental due to comorbidities

rather than age and comorbid individuals over 50 were at more risk. In the sample, oxygen saturation was low (< 95% SpO2)

in 135 patients (80.4%) and 158 (93.4%) patients received sup- plemental oxygen. Identical biochemical parameters were found

in both deceased and surviving cases. Administration of anti- viral drug Remdesivir and the glucocorticoid, Dexamethasone

increased the proportion of surviving patients slightly. Conclusions. Susceptibility to developing critical illness due to COVID-19 was found more in comorbid males. These atypical

patients require more clinical attention from the prospect of con- trolling mortality rate in Bangladesh.